The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive, provided for in section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA), is a tax-based scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. It also aims to encourage additional supply of new houses by supporting demand.
HTB provides a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation.
The level of support available to first time buyers under the HTB scheme, is whichever is the lesser of:
• €30,000; or
• 10 per cent of the purchase price of the new property; or
• the amount of Income Tax and DIRT paid in the four years before application for the relief.
For a property to qualify for the HTB scheme, it must be new or converted for use as a dwelling, having not previously been used as a dwelling. Additionally, the purchase value/approved valuation of the property must not exceed €500,000.
Based on the latest available data (30 April 2026), the scheme has supported over 65,000 individuals or couples to buy or build their own home. The average property value of approved HTB claims was €364,600, to date.
The Programme for Government commits to "retain and revise the Help to Buy scheme.". Any revisions to the HTB scheme, including revisions to the property price ceiling, would have to take into account the effective operation of the scheme and the impact any proposed changes would have on the broader housing market, but these matters will be kept under review.
Furthermore, and as the Deputy will appreciate, decisions regarding taxation measures are made in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill processes, at the appropriate time, having regard to the sound management of the public finances and the impact any proposed changes would have on the wider housing market.
